Great selection. I would also recommend: Inside Story - Dara Marks Write your Novel from the Middle - James Scott Bell (he recommends a classic: Techniques of the Selling Writer - Dwight Swain) Architecture of the Novel - Jane Vandenbergh (more for pantsers, but good for plotters to free up) The Writer's Journey - Christopher Vogler (A writer's perspective using The Hero's Journey - Joseph Campbell) For those who want to dig deeper, John Truby in Anatomy of Story recommends Anatomy of Criticism - Northrop Frye. I recommend any book by Northrop Frye if you're looking to write a literary prize-winning book. And lastly, the most important book, that of Life itself. Without deep life experiences, we have not the raw materials for power behind our words. I think it's a good idea to go on a pilgrimage, disconnect oneself from the comfort zone, and find the deeper resources within. Living like a troll under a bridge for a week may be one way, but a trip into an isolated part of the country, an ocean crossing voyage, or putting on a backpack and traveling through a foreign country, will yield enriching experiences too. I'm still looking for a good book on writing powerful antagonists. Any recommendations?
I've read King's On Writing numerous times, it's such a great book. And I followed Save the Cat while writing my first novel, very helpful! I'll have to check out some of the others you mentioned, especially interested in Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Thanks for the recommendations!
When I first got into creative writing some of the first books I picked up, nearly 8 years ago now was "The First Five Pages" and "The Elements of Style" not written for years now just recently getting back into it but nice to see they are on the recommended list for writing craft.
This is a great list. I really like John Truby. What I would add to the list are: 1. Story by Robert McKee. 2. Into the Woods: A five act journey into Story by John Yorke 3. The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri. 4. Poetics by Aristotle (the grandfather of all storytelling books) 5. The hero with a thousand faces by Joseph Campbell (not a Writing book per se, but a good introduction to understanding the hero's journey)
I had only Stephen king's book and was looking for other books and then this video pops up few day after. Just the perfect timing. Thanks Iasmina.💚✌️😊 Always love✌️
Love this video, thank you! One writing book that has really helped me in terms of motivation is The Writer's Guide to Persistence. If you haven't read it I recommend picking it up.
Can't wait to dig into some of these! I wish I was as good as you at taking care of my books. At least one of those books would look like the third grade home work that the dog definitely ate.
I've been really into reading writing craft books, and I'm slowing making my way through my TBR- I'm suuuper excited to get to Save The Cat! I've heard so many amazing things about it, and I'm also on screenwriting too, so it'd be super helpful for me :)
Hei, m-am bucurat când am aflat că ești din Romania! :) Prezentările tale sunt foarte instructive. Îți doresc succes in tot ce îți propui sa realizezi!
Donald Maass is great. His "Writing 21st Century Fiction" is one of the best I read on writing craft. As a head of his own literary agency he gives an insight on what today's agents are looking for.
I've read dozens of craft books and I've written 6 novels and two anthologies so far with more coming. At the end of the day my favorite book on writing is Larry Brooks', Story Engineering. King's book on writing was the least helpful book on craft of them all to me. King shares his experience which doesn't translate into craft advice for most writers. Few of us have King's natural sense of structure. The good news is that the craft can be learned and Larry Brooks shows you the way.
I love this! I am currently reading The Anatomy of Story because you talked about it in one of your recent videos. It's been super helpful, so I'll definitely check these out! 😊
The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell On Becoming A Novelist by John Gardner The Art of Fiction by John Gardner The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird Stein on Writing by Sol Stein Writing Great Fiction by James Hynes Wired for Story by Lisa Cron Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday Rock Your Plot by Cathy Yardley *Plus* There is Save the Cat Writes A Novel
I found this video quite late but thanks for some great recommendations. Have you read Steering thr Craft? It is my favorite along with On Writing and Bird by Birs
Thanks for the video, interesting stuff. Would you consider doing a video on your preferred writing environment? Office or kitchen table, TV on in the background or silence, laptop or pen and paper etc?
Hi Iasmina. Thanks for "The Emotional Craft of Fiction" and "The first 5 page" advice. I've found them very helpful. Let me suggest to check out the books by Larry Brooks. I'm reading "Story Engineering" and found it very interesting. If you have a Scribd subscription there are the 3 books by Larry. Also curious about the new Save the cat writes a novel
I find the save the cat book the most important of the bunch. Waaay to many amateur writers write entire 500 hundred page books with main characters that stay the same in the end of the book. It ends up being a collection of events rather than a story.
A writing craft book that no one talks about which is the best book to improve your craft is ELEMENTS OF THE WRITING CRAFT by ROBERT OLMSTEAD. It's full of great advice and has over 150 exercises. I've yet to read a better book. This one instantly helps your writing. Honestly, give it a go. You'll see.
Thank you so much for all the information. You helped me decide what to read next. You should also check out the War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It's a phenomenal book. so inspiring.
Thank you so much for introducing different types of books So first of all you haven't introduced yourself from where are you 😍🌹💖 anyway it's good to me, I am from India and I have some book collection but it was before two years ago 🤠 not updated Book some of the books not available in the City where I live and many times ago I haven't visited book mall So today is Sunday and I like to visit book Mall and finding which new books comes and useful for me. Thank you so much and most welcome to my channel because I am seeing you for the first time many younger people always visiting this channel So you can know something new from them 😉🤠#most amature young people.
Her videos are insightful with some good tips. That being said, she's never published anything, either self published or professionally and I searched high and low. As I've told many friends, there are more books and videos about how to write a book than there are actual books. Ninety nine percent of writers know about Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont and On Writing by Stephen King. If she said this one book, or this one website was instrumental in my getting my book that I published to become a success, there would be proof of her advice. Therefore it's all hypothetical at best. Yet again as is so often on YT, in lieu of proven concept, we have a young woman with a pretty face giving advice on something she hasn't actually accomplished herself. It's just like some dude giving a golf instruction video, having never played the game of golf! 🙃
Hi, new subscriber here, i loved your top 10 fantasy books video. I want to suggest a top 10 of fantasy books/sagas with better turns and twists, that's what i love the most of GRRM work, it's very hard to predict what's going to happend to the very well written characters.
Bullies, Bastards and Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction (2008) by Jessica Page Morrell I got it from the Library so you don't need to buy it. Very useful if you have any bad guys in your book.
I wasn't impressed with Don Maass's book, Writing the Breakout Novel. Maass tells you how they do it and shows examples, but he doesn't give many useful nuts and bolts. I do love, Self Editing for Fiction Writers, and I reread that one in between writing my books or while copy editing.
Hi! Considering you're a writer yourself and you love Brandon Sanderson, have you checked his lectures out yet? There's a playlist here th-cam.com/play/PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL.html . They're quite brilliant, I loved them. ^^
Have you read Wired for Story by Lisa Cron? www.goodreads.com/book/show/13126099-wired-for-story I found it fascinating and really enjoyed it. (I am not a professional writer though.)
The problem with books about the writer's life is they can leave one with the wrong impressions. Such books promote the author's magic methods which may well be unworkable for you and may even setup false goals you waste time aspiring too. You think, "Gee, if I do it like him I will be a star." That's not true. Every writer must find their own way. If you need inspiration in order to make yourself write that isn't sustainable on the professional level. Like Yoda said, "Do or do not, there is no try." Writing isn't magic. It is work done by way of craft. The magic is in your process and not in any other.
Check out my updated video on the best writing craft books: th-cam.com/video/9KHlnPL_jQk/w-d-xo.html
Great selection. I would also recommend:
Inside Story - Dara Marks
Write your Novel from the Middle - James Scott Bell (he recommends a classic: Techniques of the Selling Writer - Dwight Swain)
Architecture of the Novel - Jane Vandenbergh (more for pantsers, but good for plotters to free up)
The Writer's Journey - Christopher Vogler (A writer's perspective using The Hero's Journey - Joseph Campbell)
For those who want to dig deeper, John Truby in Anatomy of Story recommends Anatomy of Criticism - Northrop Frye.
I recommend any book by Northrop Frye if you're looking to write a literary prize-winning book.
And lastly, the most important book, that of Life itself. Without deep life experiences, we have not the raw materials for power behind our words. I think it's a good idea to go on a pilgrimage, disconnect oneself from the comfort zone, and find the deeper resources within. Living like a troll under a bridge for a week may be one way, but a trip into an isolated part of the country, an ocean crossing voyage, or putting on a backpack and traveling through a foreign country, will yield enriching experiences too.
I'm still looking for a good book on writing powerful antagonists. Any recommendations?
These books are really amazing, I have almost all of them, they helped me a lot. Have a blessed day!
Thanks so much! Id been fiddling around too long trying to pick which writing books to read first and this was very useful thanks!
I've read King's On Writing numerous times, it's such a great book. And I followed Save the Cat while writing my first novel, very helpful! I'll have to check out some of the others you mentioned, especially interested in Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Thanks for the recommendations!
Thank you, there was a book on your list that I was looking for for the longest time.
When I first got into creative writing some of the first books I picked up, nearly 8 years ago now was "The First Five Pages" and "The Elements of Style" not written for years now just recently getting back into it but nice to see they are on the recommended list for writing craft.
Thank you for the list. I’m currently reading “On Writing”. It’s lovely!
Thanks, I needed some pointers to books about the craft of writing. Your a life saver.
This is a great list. I really like John Truby. What I would add to the list are: 1. Story by Robert McKee. 2. Into the Woods: A five act journey into Story by John Yorke 3. The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri. 4. Poetics by Aristotle (the grandfather of all storytelling books) 5. The hero with a thousand faces by Joseph Campbell (not a Writing book per se, but a good introduction to understanding the hero's journey)
These are all great books for the serious writer.
I had only Stephen king's book and was looking for other books and then this video pops up few day after. Just the perfect timing. Thanks Iasmina.💚✌️😊 Always love✌️
Love this video, thank you!
One writing book that has really helped me in terms of motivation is The Writer's Guide to Persistence. If you haven't read it I recommend picking it up.
Absolutely loved this video! Please do more in the future!
Can't wait to dig into some of these! I wish I was as good as you at taking care of my books. At least one of those books would look like the third grade home work that the dog definitely ate.
I've been really into reading writing craft books, and I'm slowing making my way through my TBR- I'm suuuper excited to get to Save The Cat! I've heard so many amazing things about it, and I'm also on screenwriting too, so it'd be super helpful for me :)
Hei, m-am bucurat când am aflat că ești din Romania! :) Prezentările tale sunt foarte instructive. Îți doresc succes in tot ce îți propui sa realizezi!
Multumesc mult! 😊
Donald Maass is great. His "Writing 21st Century Fiction" is one of the best I read on writing craft. As a head of his own literary agency he gives an insight on what today's agents are looking for.
Adding all of these to my to-read! Thank you so much for the recommendations!
Thank you for this video! Loved the recommendations and am currently adding to my Amazon wishlist !
I love your channel. It is a great effort and passion put into your content .❤
I've read dozens of craft books and I've written 6 novels and two anthologies so far with more coming. At the end of the day my favorite book on writing is Larry Brooks', Story Engineering. King's book on writing was the least helpful book on craft of them all to me. King shares his experience which doesn't translate into craft advice for most writers. Few of us have King's natural sense of structure. The good news is that the craft can be learned and Larry Brooks shows you the way.
I love this! I am currently reading The Anatomy of Story because you talked about it in one of your recent videos. It's been super helpful, so I'll definitely check these out! 😊
I'm so glad you're finding it helpful!
I am going to read all of them for sure.............
The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
On Becoming A Novelist by John Gardner
The Art of Fiction by John Gardner
The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
Writing Great Fiction by James Hynes
Wired for Story by Lisa Cron
Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday
Rock Your Plot by Cathy Yardley
*Plus* There is Save the Cat Writes A Novel
Awesome list! Thank you for this.
Wow! Got them all, except the one from Truby! Will check it out! Thanks!
I highly recommend Steering The Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story by Ursula K. Le Guin
Enjoyed the video! Thanks
Thank you so much - really helpful - insightful, and to the point.
Thanks for the recommendation.
Beginnings, Middles & Ends (Elements of Fiction Writing)
by Nancy Kress
I really liked this video. Really good job :) thank you
I found this video quite late but thanks for some great recommendations. Have you read Steering thr Craft? It is my favorite along with On Writing and Bird by Birs
Thank you sister 🤗
Thanks for the video, interesting stuff. Would you consider doing a video on your preferred writing environment? Office or kitchen table, TV on in the background or silence, laptop or pen and paper etc?
I'd also recommend Mastering the Craft of Writing and Keys to Great Writing by Stephen Wilburs.
thanks for the recommendations! Will definitely check them out.
Have you watched Brandon Sanderson's free lectures on youtube?Brian Sanderson is basically one of the contemporary fantasy living "gods" .
what did you like about it and do you have other absolute favorites to improve actual writing skills?
This is the best vedio in whole youtube in this lind of topic
Hi Iasmina. Thanks for "The Emotional Craft of Fiction" and "The first 5 page" advice. I've found them very helpful. Let me suggest to check out the books by Larry Brooks. I'm reading "Story Engineering" and found it very interesting. If you have a Scribd subscription there are the 3 books by Larry. Also curious about the new Save the cat writes a novel
Thank you very much..Darling ...😘😘😘😘😘
Thank you for this vide!
I find the save the cat book the most important of the bunch. Waaay to many amateur writers write entire 500 hundred page books with main characters that stay the same in the end of the book. It ends up being a collection of events rather than a story.
Seriously read the title as writing WITCHCRAFT books, and thought wow this is going to be a good one.
haha, sorry to disappoint :( But who knows, maybe one day...
Thanks alot that was very useful.. one of my favourite book is :writing fiction for dummy 👍🏻
Did you mention the book Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction in another video?
A writing craft book that no one talks about which is the best book to improve your craft is ELEMENTS OF THE WRITING CRAFT by ROBERT OLMSTEAD.
It's full of great advice and has over 150 exercises. I've yet to read a better book.
This one instantly helps your writing.
Honestly, give it a go.
You'll see.
How to get the book pdf for free?
Thank you so much for all the information. You helped me decide what to read next. You should also check out the War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It's a phenomenal book. so inspiring.
Inside Story: the Power of the Transformation Arc by Dara Marks, this is the best book ever published on Screenwriting.
Thank you so much for introducing different types of books
So first of all you haven't introduced yourself from where are you 😍🌹💖 anyway it's good to me, I am from India and I have some book collection but it was before two years ago 🤠 not updated Book some of the books not available in the City where I live and many times ago I haven't visited book mall So today is Sunday and I like to visit book Mall and finding which new books comes and useful for me.
Thank you so much and most welcome to my channel because I am seeing you for the first time many younger people always visiting this channel So you can know something new from them 😉🤠#most amature young people.
Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity by Ray Bradbury
Her videos are insightful with some good tips. That being said, she's never published anything, either self published or professionally and I searched high and low. As I've told many friends, there are more books and videos about how to write a book than there are actual books. Ninety nine percent of writers know about Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont and On Writing by Stephen King. If she said this one book, or this one website was instrumental in my getting my book that I published to become a success, there would be proof of her advice. Therefore it's all hypothetical at best. Yet again as is so often on YT, in lieu of proven concept, we have a young woman with a pretty face giving advice on something she hasn't actually accomplished herself. It's just like some dude giving a golf instruction video, having never played the game of golf! 🙃
Great video :)
Hi, new subscriber here, i loved your top 10 fantasy books video. I want to suggest a top 10 of fantasy books/sagas with better turns and twists, that's what i love the most of GRRM work, it's very hard to predict what's going to happend to the very well written characters.
How about “Rules for Writers” by Diana Hacker?
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne
have you ever written a book? and if so where can I buy it 😂
you help alot thanks
Craft. Art. Artifice.
Still a great video.
First u r looking so pretty
And second great work best of luck.
Bullies, Bastards and Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction (2008) by Jessica Page Morrell
I got it from the Library so you don't need to buy it. Very useful if you have any bad guys in your book.
I wasn't impressed with Don Maass's book, Writing the Breakout Novel. Maass tells you how they do it and shows examples, but he doesn't give many useful nuts and bolts. I do love, Self Editing for Fiction Writers, and I reread that one in between writing my books or while copy editing.
Hi 😊
Hi! Considering you're a writer yourself and you love Brandon Sanderson, have you checked his lectures out yet? There's a playlist here th-cam.com/play/PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL.html . They're quite brilliant, I loved them. ^^
You are an incredible resource! Just FYI I think your video is slightly out of focus.
Have you read Wired for Story by Lisa Cron? www.goodreads.com/book/show/13126099-wired-for-story I found it fascinating and really enjoyed it. (I am not a professional writer though.)
i dont know about Stephen King😲, and don't feel for others 😊
The problem with books about the writer's life is they can leave one with the wrong impressions. Such books promote the author's magic methods which may well be unworkable for you and may even setup false goals you waste time aspiring too. You think, "Gee, if I do it like him I will be a star." That's not true. Every writer must find their own way. If you need inspiration in order to make yourself write that isn't sustainable on the professional level. Like Yoda said, "Do or do not, there is no try." Writing isn't magic. It is work done by way of craft. The magic is in your process and not in any other.
There's a dead pixel in the video btw
Your smile is beautiful💓 sorry I couldn't help thought about this comment 100 times I'm a jerk😌
Thank you baby
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